Yesterday after underwear football practice, Jameis held court with the local pen and mic club. There, Jameis was asked about Jones by the King of New Port Richey, the Custodian of Canton, the Sage of Tampa Bay sports, JoeBucsFan.com columnist Ira Kaufman.

Jameis was his usual giddy self. When he’s on a football field or a practice field, that’s his happy place. But when Ira asked Jameis about RoJo, Jameis lit up like a Christmas tree. As if someone flipped an “on” switch.

Jameis went from happy to excited, as if he wanted to go back on the field and start running a two-minute offense.

“RoJo has been showing out; he’s been showing out,” Jameis replied to Ira when he asked Jameis if there was a different RoJo this spring. “I think it is just his confidence — his comfort. RoJo is a smart guy. He’s getting comfortable in this offense.

“No one is breathing down his neck. He’s more relaxed and he is executing at a high level. You can see where he can really add to this team.”

Jameis believed all that RoJo lacked to turn the corner was confidence.

“I know how talented he is,” Jameis said. “That is why he was a second-round pick. My first year, shoot, my first game wasn’t how I wanted it.

“But you always have to continue to move forward. Always continue to grow and get better. And I see drastic improvements in him coming in this season.”

Joe is a read-between-the-lines kind of guy. And one word jumped out at Joe. That was when Jameis used the word “confidence.” That’s something Joe had heard through the grapevine that RoJo had destroyed last year.

Who knows why that is but as Joe has pointed out several times over the past year or two, former Bucs coach Dirk Koetter’s track record in developing young running back is, well, spotty. For example, Devonta Freeman at Atlanta, his worst year in the NFL was when he was a rookie playing for Koetter, then the Dixie Chicks offensive coordinator.

Could it be that some assistant coach (or others) simply just gave up on RoJo early on? And could that have been the reason RoJo’s confidence was blown, and he was a total non-factor last season?

Rojo’s best game was when he carried 10 times. He even scored in that game.

But all the other games he only got 1-2 plays. Of course he never got going!

I said it before last season was even over…writing him off was premature. As I said back then, some rookies need a year to process things. That second off season is the one that really determines whether they’ll bust or not.

Don’t be surprised when multiple draft picks from last year surprise fans.

jameis looks different…i saw jameis talk…his head looks a bit different, his expressions are more mature…his demeanor has shifted a bit…he looks more manly and less boyish…quite simply he’s maturing…he looks good with the few extra pounds too…i have a good feeling about jameis – his focus seems good from what i could see…

he seems more like a veteran now than ever…he always looked so wet…he is no longer wet…might be a big year for jaboo…

arians might already be rubbing off on jameis…it looks like it to me…we shall see

The word I would use is blocking… just go back and watch every single run by Ronald (including the ones called back) and tell me exactly what he did on those runs that made him a bust. Sure, on like maybe 2 runs he could have taken a different hole – but on nearly all of them he’s getting hit 3 yards behind the LOS.

I’m admittedly a pessimist as it pertains to Rojo. I stand by my belief that good RBs will always show flashes of brilliance regardless of opportunities.
That said, it’s incumbent that we give him the benefit of the doubt for two reasons. One, our run-blocking was flat out awful. And two, COACHING.
I mean outside of the “stick carrier” comment, did Koetter ever inspire you as a fan? Imagine as a player.
Prove me wrong Rojo. Please prove me wrong!

Rod Munch is on point. Watch the film and tell us all what RoJo could have done better. I’ve said it before here, it was almost like rookie hazing making sure he got hit as soon as he got the ball. I honestly have no way of knowing if the kid has any talent or not based on last years horrible sample.

Here’s to hoping they give RoJo a chance to show off so we can see what we have.

Dirk Koetter sabotaged this kid plain and simple. When he stumbled out of the gate Koetter decided to label him like he did Jeremy McNichols. Can you imagine how good our offense would have been if Koetter built this kid up instaed of tearing him down??? A wasted season and thank god Koetter the supreme poor talent developer is with Atlanta. Luckily they have some RB’s in place or they might be in the same boat.

If I were Bruce Arians, and what I think he will do, is give Rojo a lot of touches…maybe even the “Start” to boost his confidence quick and early week 1. Once he breaks loose one time he’s going to shine.